"getting your ducks in a row"

Question

Anyone know how to translate this phrase/idiom? I am not looking for a literal translation. I am looking for the Spanish equivalent.

"getting your ducks in a row" literally means to organize to plan, to get everything in order.

For example, I am planning a vacation, so I am looking at flights, making a list of what to pack, asking my boss for time off, etc. I am getting my ducks in a row, or all of my ducks in a row.

What would be a similar phrase in Spanish?

¡Ya tienes tu primer voto! :) - Cordobesa, Mar 2, 2012

Answer 1

Welcome to the forum, Missy

Yo diría "Poner tus asuntos en orden".

is there a less formal way of saying it? - missy8888, Mar 2, 2012

I usually say: "tengo que arreglar mis/algunas cosas" - Cordobesa, Mar 2, 2012

Thank you for your help! - missy8888, Mar 2, 2012

De nada :) - Cordobesa, Mar 2, 2012

Answer 2

Welcome to the forum!

I would certainly concede to the expertise of a native Spanish speaker on this one, but what about , "Sentar las bases."? It's remarkably similar to our, "Lay the groundwork.", or "Pave the way.".

It's not a perfect match for "Get your ducks in a row.", but it carries much the same idiomatic meaning... at least as far as I can tell. It's the closest thing I was able to find.

I hope this helps!

Thank you! - missy8888, Mar 2, 2012

No problem! ;) - ciscocaja, Mar 2, 2012

Yes, Cisco, they are similar, although iIn Spain "sentar las bases" is used in a formal context, when you're talking about a business, an agreement...: "sentar las bases del nuevo negocio/de un acuerdo comercial/de un proyecto/del proceso de paz"... - Cordobesa, Mar 2, 2012

Cordobesa, didn't you know we Americans can't separate our business from pleasure?;) I agree! It's not a perfect fit. There are many situations where it could probably be a fairly clean translation, but the "duck" phrase has a broader application. - ciscocaja, Mar 2, 2012

No, I didn't know it, Cisco, jajaja :) - Cordobesa, Mar 2, 2012